Escalating Violence in Gaza: Rising Casualties and Mass Displacement
Recent Israeli airstrikes on civilian shelters in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, as humanitarian aid remains severely restricted.
Israeli airstrikes on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City have killed at least 27 people, according to rescuers.
On Thursday afternoon, three missiles struck the Dar al-Arqam school in the al-Tuffah neighborhood, leaving injuries including at least 100 individuals.
The shelter was reportedly being utilized by civilians who had already been displaced from their homes.
In response, the Israeli military stated that it had taken precautions to avoid civilian casualties, framing the attack as targeting a control center for Hamas.
In addition to the casualties at the school, another airstrike in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City killed at least 20 people early Thursday morning, which is part of a recent surge in violence that has resulted in approximately 97 deaths in the last 24 hours alone, according to local health authorities.
This heightened military activity follows Israel's abandonment of a two-month ceasefire that concluded approximately two weeks ago.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that since the resumption of airstrikes on March 18, they have targeted over 600 locations across Gaza, asserting a campaign to dismantle militant capabilities.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 1,163 individuals have been killed as a result of the renewed airstrikes since the ceasefire ended.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the army was "seizing territory" and "dividing up" Gaza, prompting growing concerns over the future of its 2.3 million residents and fears of ongoing displacements.
The UN humanitarian agency reported that 64% of Gaza's territory has been declared as military buffer zones, restricting civilian access.
As conflict intensifies, dramatic scenes have emerged with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing from Rafah and nearby regions due to advancing Israeli ground forces, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
The military operation aims to establish a security corridor, exacerbating the impediment caused by Israeli strikes on main transportation routes.
This escalation followed Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which Israel claims resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 people.
The ongoing conflict has since claimed the lives of over 50,357 people in Gaza, with an overwhelming majority being civilians.
In a separate incident reflecting the harsh realities faced by medical personnel, a survivor described a fatal attack on Red Crescent ambulances in Rafah, where eight medics and several rescue workers were killed.
The survivor recounted being in an ambulance that came under fire while attempting to provide assistance following an airstrike.
Under pressures of international scrutiny, the IDF announced an investigation into the shootings but has maintained that its forces acted within the laws of warfare.
The escalation of violence continues to draw critical attention from international organizations, with ongoing efforts mediated by Qatar and Egypt aimed at establishing ceasefire talks faltering amidst rising hostilities.
The conflict has raised significant concerns regarding humanitarian access and the looming specter of famine within Gaza, with aid agencies warning of worsening conditions as blockades impede the delivery of essential supplies.
On Thursday afternoon, three missiles struck the Dar al-Arqam school in the al-Tuffah neighborhood, leaving injuries including at least 100 individuals.
The shelter was reportedly being utilized by civilians who had already been displaced from their homes.
In response, the Israeli military stated that it had taken precautions to avoid civilian casualties, framing the attack as targeting a control center for Hamas.
In addition to the casualties at the school, another airstrike in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City killed at least 20 people early Thursday morning, which is part of a recent surge in violence that has resulted in approximately 97 deaths in the last 24 hours alone, according to local health authorities.
This heightened military activity follows Israel's abandonment of a two-month ceasefire that concluded approximately two weeks ago.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that since the resumption of airstrikes on March 18, they have targeted over 600 locations across Gaza, asserting a campaign to dismantle militant capabilities.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 1,163 individuals have been killed as a result of the renewed airstrikes since the ceasefire ended.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the army was "seizing territory" and "dividing up" Gaza, prompting growing concerns over the future of its 2.3 million residents and fears of ongoing displacements.
The UN humanitarian agency reported that 64% of Gaza's territory has been declared as military buffer zones, restricting civilian access.
As conflict intensifies, dramatic scenes have emerged with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing from Rafah and nearby regions due to advancing Israeli ground forces, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
The military operation aims to establish a security corridor, exacerbating the impediment caused by Israeli strikes on main transportation routes.
This escalation followed Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which Israel claims resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 people.
The ongoing conflict has since claimed the lives of over 50,357 people in Gaza, with an overwhelming majority being civilians.
In a separate incident reflecting the harsh realities faced by medical personnel, a survivor described a fatal attack on Red Crescent ambulances in Rafah, where eight medics and several rescue workers were killed.
The survivor recounted being in an ambulance that came under fire while attempting to provide assistance following an airstrike.
Under pressures of international scrutiny, the IDF announced an investigation into the shootings but has maintained that its forces acted within the laws of warfare.
The escalation of violence continues to draw critical attention from international organizations, with ongoing efforts mediated by Qatar and Egypt aimed at establishing ceasefire talks faltering amidst rising hostilities.
The conflict has raised significant concerns regarding humanitarian access and the looming specter of famine within Gaza, with aid agencies warning of worsening conditions as blockades impede the delivery of essential supplies.
